A Leon County jury has awarded more than $4.4 million to a Florida man who suffered severe injuries after being struck by a motorized security shutter at a Tallahassee convenience store.
The verdict highlights the importance of business owners maintaining safe premises and protecting customers from preventable hazards.
The incident occurred on March 25, 2023, at Parkside Food and Gas in Tallahassee. According to court testimony, the plaintiff was exiting the store when an employee activated a motorized storm shutter that also served as a security gate.
The descending shutter struck the customer on the head, causing significant neck and spinal injuries.
Medical evidence presented during the trial revealed that the accident resulted in compression of the cervical spinal cord. The victim later underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure, a major surgery commonly used to treat serious neck injuries.
Beyond the physical pain, the injuries affected his ability to work and perform everyday activities.
Attorneys from Morgan & Morgan argued that the store failed to exercise reasonable care in protecting patrons from dangerous conditions.
The defense attempted to attribute the plaintiff’s condition to pre-existing health issues and reportedly suggested damages of no more than $12,000. However, the jury rejected those arguments after reviewing the evidence and awarded $4,440,958.42 in compensation.
The case serves as a reminder that businesses have a legal duty to ensure customer safety. When that responsibility is neglected, the consequences can be life-altering for victims and financially significant for negligent property owners.
The verdict underscores the role of premises liability law in holding businesses accountable and providing justice to injured individuals.
